Collapsible stacking material handling devices



R. SHILE COLLAPSIBLE STACKING MATERIAL HANDLING DEVICES Feb. 25, 1964 I5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 3l, 1959 R. sHlLE 3,122,258

COLLAPSIBLE STACKING MATERIAL HANDLING DEVICES 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 25, 1964 Filed Aug. 3l, 1959 mllylmfil 11H11 .IIN I" llllll h W V han' Feb. 25, 1964 R. sHlLE 3,122,258

COLLAPSIBLE STACKING MATERIAL HANDLING DEVICES Filed Aug. C51, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 United States Patent O 3,122,258 COLLAPSELE STACKING MATERIAL HANDLING DEVICES Raymond Shile, 12 Wolf Road, Croton-on-Hudson, N.Y. Filed Aug. 31, 1959, Ser. No. 837,067 1 Claim. (Cl. 22d- 6) This invention relates generally to the field of material handling, and more particularly to an improved collapsible supporting structure which may be stacked upon itself either in a collapsed or erected condition, and used either in place of or in conjunction with palletized loads. Palletized loading is generally known in the material handling art, and is extremely convenient for use in locations where fork lift trucks and similar material handling equipment is available. To place such palletized loads in tiers, it is necessary that racks be provided having tiered floors upon which the palletized loads may be placed. Where the racks are not being employed, they occupy considerable space which may be utilized for other purposes, and must either be left standing, or dismantled with considerable expenditure of labor.

Another disadvantage when using palletized loads is the normal inability to use the same in conjunction with overhead crane or similar lifting devices. This disadvantage has seriously impeded the use of such loading, for example, in marine applications, where all loading effort comes from lifting devices disposed above the storage holds of a ship.

It is among the principal objects of the present invention to provide an improved collapsible stacking rack which will eliminate in substantial measure the abovementioned disadvantages.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved collapsible stacking rack having selectively erectable leg members carried by a relatively horizontally disposed deck element, in such manner that a second similar rack may be supported by the leg elements of the first rack, and in such manner that a plurality of tiered racks may be readily handled by such lifting devices as a forked lift truck.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved stacking rack which may be modified to form a collapsible storage bin, wherein particulate loads may be conveniently handled in a manner which has heretofore been impossible.

Still another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved collapsible stacking rack which maybe lifted by overhead crane means engaging the collapsible leg elements which are pivotally associated with a deck element, without disturbing the selectively fixed erected condition of the leg elements with respect to the deck element.

Yet a further object of the invention lies in the provision of improved collapsible stacking rack construction, in which the cost of manufacture may be of a reasonably low order, with consequent wide sale, distribution and use.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved collapsible stacking rack which may be of durable construction and requiring no special tools or other than ordinary skill to employ the same.

A feature of the invention lies in the fact that the erecting means for securing the leg elements with respect to a relatively horizontally disposed deck element is integrated, it being unnecessary to remove or attach component parts thereof.

Still another feature of the invention lies in the provision of camming means for guiding the component parts into erected condition, which camming means is acted upon by the placing of a substantial load upon a horizontally disposed deck element.

Another feature of the invention lies in the provision ICC of improved guiding means on each of the leg elements comprising the various embodiments disclosed whereby the stacking of erected devices is materially facilitated.

These objects and features, as well as other incidental ends and advantages, will more fully appear in the course of the following disclosure, and be pointed out in the appended claim.

In the drawings, to which reference will be made in the specification, similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIGURE l is a view in perspective showing a first embodiment of the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a similar view in perspective of the first embodiment, showing the device in relatively collapsed condition.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view in perspective showing details of the leg element locking means.

FIGURE 4 is a similar enlarged fragmentary View in perspective showing an altered relative position of the component parts.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional View as seen from the plane 5-5 in FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View as seen from the plane 6 6 in FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view as seen from the plane 7-7 in FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 8 is a view in perspective showing a second embodiment of the invention.

FIGURE 9 is a vertical central sectional view as seen from the plane 9 9 in FIGURE 8.

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view corresponding to that seen in FIGURE 9, but showing a third embodiment of the invention.

FIGURE 11 is a view in perspective showing a fourth embodiment of the invention.

FIGURE l2 is a view of the fourth embodiment showing the same in partially erected condition.

FIGURE I3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view as seen from the plane 13-13 in FIGURE 12.

FIGURE 14 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical sectional view as seen from the plane 14-14 in FIGURE l2.

In accordance with the first embodiment of the invention, the device, generally indicated by reference character 19, comprises broadly: a deck, or horizontally disposed load supporting element 11, first and second erectable leg elements 12 and 13, and leg element locking means 14.

The deck element l1 is preferably of welded steel channel iron construction, the specific dimensions, as well as the gauge of metal employed varying with the contemplated use and load. It includes a pair of side beam members l5 and I6, as well as a pair of end beam members 17 and 18 manged in generally rectangular configuration.

F The upper surface 19 of the interconnected beam members lS-lS support a planar deck member 20, of plywood, sheet steel or similar material. Extending laterally from the corners of the deck element are four headed pins 21, each of which is carried by a laterally extending flange 22; there being four such pins and flanges arranged in generally parallel relation.

The first and second leg elements 12 and 13 are substantially identical, and accordingly, a detailed description of the element 12 will serve equally well to describe the element I3.

The leg element 12 includes first and second leg units 26 and 27 interconnected by a brace 28 of generally L-shaped configuration. Each of the leg units 26-27 is provided with deck element engaging means including a first flange member 3i) and a second flange member 31.

The leg members 32 and 33 which comprise each vertical unit 26-27 each include an upper end 34 preferably provided with holes or lugs (not shown) to permit engagement for lifting by overhead crane means, or the like. The lower end 36 is provided with a base member having a lower edge 38 upon which the device lil rests in contact with a horizontal supporting surface (not shown). The base member includes angularly disposed side flanges 40, as well as a horizontally disposed flange 41, the ange #ill-i1 forming pockets into which the upper ends 34 of anothed device may be fitted during stacking operations.

The leg element locking means 14 includes the abovementioned flange members 39 and 31, the former of which is secured to an inner surface 44 of a leg member, and the latter to a vertical edge 45 of the same. Extending through the plane of each of the flanges 30 is an elongated keyhole-shaped slot 46 which is slightly angularly disposed with respect to the axis of the leg members 32-33 to provide a camming action upon a pin 21. Thus, after erection of the leg element to angular disposition with respect to the plane of the deck element 11, the camming edge 47 acts upon the respective pin 21 to move the adiacent surface of the laterally extending flange 22 against the abutting surface of the flange member 31. As best seen in FIGURE 4 on the drawing, the pin 21 is aligned properly within the slot 46 by the camming action of an edge 4S which bears against the flange 22.

Referring to FIGURES 3, 5 and 6, a latch body 49 is welded or otherwise integrated with each of the leg members 32-33, the same having a slideably disposed bolt member 59 therein which extends through an opening S1 in the flange 31. The latch body 49 is supported by the inner surface 52 of the flange member 4S as Well as the inner surface 53 of the flange member 31. Also disposed within the channel 54 of the latch body 49 is a coil spring 55 which serves to urge the member Sil outwardly. A bolt member 56 is connected with the slideable member 5t), the same including a bolt handle 57 which extends through an L-shaped slot 53 in the latch body 49. During erection of the leg elements with respect to the deck element, the member Sil is normally cammed inwardly until the respective flange 22 has passed thereover. At this point, the spring 55 urges the member Sil outwardly to engage the upper edge 59 of the flange 22 to prevent unintentional disengagement of the pin 21 from the camming edge 47 of the slot 46. This action wl normally occur only when the device 1% is lifted by the engagement of a fork lift truck beneath the deck element 11 while the leg elements are supporting a second loaded device 10 thereupon. While the Weight of the leg element alone will normally be insufficient to disengage the camming action, the weight of the second loaded device might in some instances be suliicient to cause accidental disengagement. Under such circumstances, the Weight of the second loaded device will be borne by the slideable member 5t).

To collapse the device, the bolt handles 57 are moved outwardly and downwardly into the shorter arm of the L-shaped slot S, whereby the slideable member Sil is withdrawn. By lifting the deck element 11, the pins 21 are disengaged from the camming edges 47, and act as a pivot to permit the leg elements 12 and 13 to be swung to a flattened condition. In some cases, where a relatively heavy load has been placed upon the deck element during prior use, a few taps with a hammer may be necessary to disengage the wedged engagement of the pins against the respective camming edges.

During the period in which the bolt handles 57 are disposed in the shorter arm of the L-shaped slot 5S, and before the device 10 is collapsed, the bolt handles will overlie the heads of the pins 21. As the pin 21 is raised within the slot 46, contact is established so that further movement tends to rotate the bolt handle 57 about the principal axis of the member 50 to a point where the spring 54 will move the member 50 to the position shown in FIGURES 6 and 7. By the time this disengagement has occurred, the edge 59 has already cleared the end of the member S0, so that no interference occurs during the actual collapsing of the device. To facilitate the manual movement of the member Sil to a disengaged condition as shown in FIGURE 5, the member Si) may be provided at the outwardly disposed end thereof with a knob Sil.

Thus, during erection of the device,rthe automatic engagement of the member Si) with the edge 59 takes place as soon as the pin 21 is properly seated within the slot 46. To disengage the device, all of the sliding members Sil are withdrawn to the position shown in FIGURE 5, following which the deck element may be moved upward- 1y (with the assistance of several sharp blows) to the point where the pin 21 parts contact with the camming edge 47. By this time, the edge 59 has passed the engaged end of the member 5i), and the leg elements 12 and 13 may be pivoted about an axis through the pins 21 to assume the flattened condition shown in FIGURE 2 in the drawings. The upward movement has disengaged the bolt Y handles 57 so that the spring S4 will place an outward yielding force on the member Sil, so that upon subsequent erection of the leg elements the cycle is repeated.

Turning now to the second embodiment of the invention, best seen in FIGURE 8, parts corresponding to th'ose of the first embodiment have been designated by similar reference characters with the additional prefix 1.

The second embodiment of the invention, generally indicated by reference character 69, differs from the first embodiment in the adaptability of the same for use in conjunction with a conventional wood pallet element 61. The pallet element 61 is generally similar to those well known in the art, including a plurality of cross-brace members 62, upon which are nailed or otherwise secured a plurality of flooring members 63. The cross-brace members 62 are provided with cutout portions 64 spaced apart a distance to permit the engaging means of a fork lift truck to be projected t. ereunder, the remaining parts of the cross-brace members being provided wtih floor or other horizontal surface engaging treads 65. The interconnecting brace 123 includes a hrst member 65 disposed i in a substantially vertical plane when the leg elements 112 and 113 are erected, as Well as a second member 67 disposed in a generally horizontal plane under similar circumstances. In such condition, it is adapted to support the ends 65 of the cross-brace members, the same being spaced such that the upper surface of the pallet element will provide a floor for the deck element 211. As in the case of the first embodiment, the second embodiment may be lifted by lifting means 71 through chains or cables 72, which provide for a direct vertical lift.

Turning now to the third embodiment, as seen in FIG- URE l0 in the drawings, parts corresponding to those of the first embodiment have been designated by similar reference characters with the additional prefix 2.

In the third embodiment, generally indicated by reference character 74, the pallet element 61 is substituted by a metallic deck element 75 formed from a ribbed sheet of metallic planar material, generally known in the art as corrugated metal. The upper surfaces 76 form a load supporting platform, while the lower surfaces 77 are sup- Y sesses great strength to bending about an axis normal toV the axes of corrugation, while bending about the axes of corrugation is prevented by the above-mentioned engagement of the horizontally disposed portion 78 with the lower surfaces 77 of each corrugation.

Turning now to the fourth embodiment of the invention, parts corresponding to those of the first embodiment have been designated by similar reference characters with the additional prefix 3.

In the fourth embodiment, generally indicated by reference character Si, the device is adapted for use as a collapsible storage bin, rather than a collapsible storage rack. To this end, side walls 32, 83, 84 and 85 are provided, which may be of welded wire netting, as shown in FIGURES 1G to 13, inclusive, although where necessary for reasons of economy in manufacture, expanded metal, plywood or the like may be substituted. As best seen in FIGURES 1l, 12 and 13, the side wall members 82 and 83 are permanently xed to the upstanding leg elements .312 and 313, while the members 84 and S5 are pivotaily interconnected by links S6 at the lower portion thereof, the uppermost parts being provided with notch engaging means 87 adapted to engage vertical axis notches 3S. lf desired, other means may be employed to achieve the same end. In collapsing the device, the wall members S4 and 85 are iirst collapsed by disengaging the abovedescribed means and permitting the same to pivot within the links, following which, the device is coilapsed as in the other embodiments.

it may thus be seen that I have invented novel and highly useful improvements in collapsible storage rack construction, in which there is provided a device of high strength, long potential useful lire, and low cost of manufacture. In collapsed condition, the device is almost completely planar in coniiguration, whereby a large number oi' the same may be stacked upon each other to occupy a minimum of space. When erected, the devices'may be lifted either from below or above, depending upon the type of lifting equipment available, in each case, the device being fully supported against collapse, even when several stacked and loaded devices are lifted simultaneously. The device may be assembled and disassembled substantially Without tools, and by those possessed of only ordinary skili, and no disconnected parts need be removed from the device during either erection or collapse of the same, to become subsequentiy lost.

I Wish it to be understood that l do not consider the invention limited to the precise details of structure shown and set forth in this specification, for obvious modifications wiil occur to those skiiied in the art to which the invention pertains.

I claim:

In a collapsible staci'ing unit, a flat base, a set of spaced vertically extending upright supporting members ixed to said base, each of said members having first and second sides in substantiaily L-snaped relation, a set of upright members corresponding to said upright supporting members, said upright members having first and second sides in substantiaiiy L-shaped relation and overlapping the first and second sides of their corresponding upright supporting members when the upright members are in ertical position, slots formed in the tirst side of each of one of said sets of members, each siot sloping away from the second side in a downward direction, and pins secured to the iirst side of each of the other set of members and disposed within said slots, said upright members being swingable about said pins between vertical and coilapsed positions, a downward force on any upright member when in its vertical position drawing the second side of said upright member against the second side of the correspondin7 upright supporting member by virtue of the sioping nature of said slots to thereby hold said upright member n mly to said base.

Referenties Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,337,167 Trego Apr. 13, 1920 2,070,070 Stoner Feb. 9, 1937 2,579,655 Donald Dec. 25, 1951 2,714,466 Killeen Aug. 2, 1955 2,732,967 Metcalf Ian. 31, 1956 2,780,382 Beckner Feb. 5, 1957 

